Intussusception trends in Hong Kong children.

OBJECTIVES

To assess trends in intussusception and to validate the coding in Hong Kong's computerised discharge information system.

DESIGN

Case notes were reviewed for all children under the age of 5 years who had a discharge diagnosis indicating intussusception or a procedure indicating reduction of intussusception during the 6-year period 1 July 1997 through 30 June 2003.

RESULTS

Intussusception rates for infants under 1 year of age (108/100,000) and under 5 years of age (38/100,000) were slightly higher than previous estimates (78-100/100,000 and 27-32/100,000, respectively) that used passive discharge data alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Hong Kong's passive computer data systems could be used to monitor rates of intussusception after the introduction of new rotavirus vaccines, provided readmissions, inter-hospital transfers, and hospital follow-ups for the same episode are taken into account.